>> and i'm maureen naylor. frank and julie are off tonight. this evening, former president george h.w. bush is in guarded condition as a houston hospital with what's being called a stubborn fever. the 88-year-old former president has been in the hospital for bronchitis for almost four weeks now of the doctors say his cough is improving but a lingering fever took him into intensive care. >> it includes a persistent fever and doctors are doing everything they can to wrap their arms around t they're cautiously optimistic that their current course of treatment is going to be effective. >> the former president's spokesman said the former president is alert and talking with staff. the senior bush has gotten visits from his son, former president george w. bush and former florida governor jeb bush. we are on storm watch tonight even though it's mostly dry in the bay area right now. there's a winter storm warning in the sierra.

it's not keeping people from flocking to the sierra. ken? >> reporter: right now you can see a touch of snow coming down here. it slowed in the past hour or so. we're at the nyack gas station just off interstate 80. interstate 80 at least it to this point is -- least to this point is relatively degree clooer but is relatively clear now. a semi truck had to back down just for a slope that small, about a foot. we made the drive up here. it took us a couple of hours just to get here. it was a long, slow drive. it was not that people had to chain up or simply because the chain control was in effect. the long at times, 10 mile long back-up on interstate 80 east and west had more to do with the holiday. >> things are going very good with the weather and all the plow trucks and all of our graders, blowers, everything's going, our big problem right now is actually the traffic

because we have both east and west traffic at very enormous numbers right now. >> reporter: it took us about two hours travel to go 30 miles of the nyack gas station was as far as we had time to go and it was as far as some people should have gone of the parking lot was packed as people took a break from the long drive to gas up. [ screaming and giggling ]. >> reporter: and have some fun after that driving ordeal. hundreds of people played today at a new snow park at nyack. >> we try not to hit the traffic at holidays but it doesn't matter, everybody wants to come and play. >> reporter: george brought husband family up from sacramento. he knew what he was getting into in terms of the drive, but says it was worth it. >> they wansed to play in the snow, so we had to take the -- they wanted to play in the snow, so we had to take the ride. >> reporter: for most of the day the chain control was right here at nyack but around two or three o'clock, the chain

controls were moved higher up, right now to the kingvale over to donner lake, that's essentially the gap that goes right over the summit. ken pritchett, ktvu channel 2 news. the sierra avalanche center warns of significant risk of more slides. on monday, 49-year-old steven mark was killed in an avalanche at donner ski ranch. 53-year-old ski patrol officer bill foster was caught in a suspensionally set varnlg. and two others skiers a39-year- old woman and 16-year-old boy suffered minor injuries in a third varnlg avalanche monday. a fatal accident shut down san pablo dam road in contra costa county for much of this afternoon. the chp said a driver of a chevy suv was heading north

when he hit a volkswagen around noon. the woman was killed along with her dog of the chevy driver is in the hospital with broken bones. the road was closed until about three this afternoon. part of the great highway in san francisco is closed right now because of flooding. heavy rains left pools of standing water on the roadway closing portions of the southbound lanes. a spokesperson with the city's department of public works said there is no estimate yet for when those lanes will reopen. as the bay area begins to dry out from a series of wipt storms, crews -- winter storms, crews begin the task of cleaning up the damage left behind. from falling trees in oak lapped to flooded streets in the city, crews are all over the area keeping busy. >> it's an older section of highway and it's been in need of some work for a long time, and the recent storms have made it worse. >> along with the cleanup today, crews are busy with maintenance work hoping to get the job done before the next rain, which is expected some

time friday. a young woman charged with hitting and killing a grandmother at san francisco's twin peaks made her first court appearance today. david stevenson has more on the judge's actions as well as concerns about people who enjoy the popular lookout. david? >> reporter: that's right of. the hit-and-run case is focusing attention on pedestrian safety. tourists today crowded the edges of twin peaks vista point, making walking along the roads. it was here that police say 23- year-old gina eunice struck four pedestrians last thursday night. knocking them down a hill side and fatalally injuring 56-year- old ewi yao. >> i would do anything to get her back. >> the impact that is having on the entire family is horrible. >> reporter: eunice made her first court appearance this afternoon. she faces charges, including felony vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving.

>> greena and the entire -- greena and the -- gina and the entire family are destroyed by what happened. i would say their main concern is for the yao family. >> it's dangerous up here. >> reporter: cyclists and pedestrians say even sober drivers can put people at risk. >> especially up here because it gets foggy. it gets pretty rainy and there's some blind turns. >> there was horrible behavior that led to a really tragic convention but i think it's -- consequence but it's important for all of us to be defensive in the way we walk. people may not see you, even people that are not drunk. >> gina eunice is being held on $2 million bail a judge said if she's freed, she cannot drive and she must wear an alcohol detection device at all times. she's expected to enter a plea here at the hall of justice next monday morning. live in san francisco, david stevenson, ktvu channel 2 news.

alameda police say a woman is behind bars after a stabbing on willie stargell avenue. investigators say a woman grabbed a knife and stabbed a relative in the chest. a 16-year-old and two other people were also hurt. we're told none of the injuries are life threatening. officers arrested 42-year-old tiffany thomas. a construction worker was killed in a fall this morning. a fire department spokesperson said the fell more than 12 ft inside a home at 40 edge hill way, west of twin peaks. the accident happened just after 10:30 this morning. the medical examiner's office is not releasing the man's name until his family is notified. we have new developments in the death of a woman whose body was found in an ornamental pond in santa rosa this morning. she's been identified as 66 year 66-year-old stephanie

trailaga. there was no sign of foul play, according to police. the malls were crowded this day after christmas. as many tried to cash in on post-holiday sales and return gift. but as tkcu christian -- shoppers hit the malls today looking for good post-christmas sales. this consumer psychologist said this a tough retail season. >> i think it's been a disappointing turnout, not a big surprise, because overall, holiday retail sales have been disappointing this year. down about 3% over what we projected they would be. >> reporter: jairo said there are a nuchl factors that kept -- number of factors that kept consumers from spending. >> there was a lot of

distraction from the sandy hook and people are very good at waiting for those bargains. >> reporter: despite signs advertising deep discounts, jairo said that may mott be deep enough and some shoppers said while they waned to buy, they -- wanted to buy, they ended up not spending much. >> i didn't buy anything. >> reporter: the week between christmas and if you years is crucial for retailers. despite a surging bay area economy, sales are expected to drag on national retailers. in san francisco, christian cap, ktvu channel 2 news. president obama is expected to head back to washington from hawaii tonight. today, house speaker john boehner said it's up to the senate to pass legislation to avoid the steep cuts and tax hikes that are set to take effect january 2nd. some observers say it looks likely the u.s. will go over that cliff allowing lawmakers then to vote to lower taxes after they first go up.

>> to make them look better? to appease voters? is that the reason? great. . >> meanwhile, another showdown is looming. the government will hit its federal debt limit on new year's eve and could default unless congress passes legislation to permit more borrowing. the passage of proposition 30 gave governor brown the extra money he wanted for california schools. now he's working on a proposal to differencevy up the funds. eats work -- divvy up the funds. >> he wants to return more accountability, authority and decision-making down to local school districts because teachers, administrators and parents have a better sense of what their local priority are than people here in sacramento do. >> the governor's proposal will be included in his new budget set to be released next month. california is losing out on federal vouchers provided from the no child left behind law. according to a report in the san jose perkry news, the state

was notified last friday. it requires yearly improvements in test scores and punishes districts that don't achieve the goals. state educators say the goal is realistic. . adoptions between american families and russian children could soon end. now that russia's president is expected to sign a bill into law by the end of the week. ktvu's mike mibach is live in the newsroom with the effect it's having on one young woman. >> reporter: that's right. it's like a political chess match with thousands of children in the middle. since 1992, more than 60,000 russian children have been adopted by u.s. families and here in the bay area the story hits home for one of those 60,000. a determined set of eyes. >> i just love clothes. >> reporter: a patient hand. >> i said it would be really cool if i could design them. >> reporter: 18-year-old julia

rally has a dream and her life sketch he's a designer. >> they have a wonderful two- year program for fashion. >> reporter: in 2001, julia was an orphan in russia. >> she was so small, i could carry her through the airport myself on my hip. >> people in the orphanage who get kicked out at 15 and 16ened you're basically -- and you're basically on the streets and you're trying to make as much money as you can but it's very little and most of the children end up being poor. >> reporter: 74,000 children are without parental care in russia. today, protesters in moscow were arrested after russian parliament's upper house voted unanimously to ban americans from adopting russian children. it's seen as retaliation against a u.s. law that calls for sentences against russians deemed to be human rights violators. >> it's sad that the children

are being used as a pawn. >> reporter: the state department -- for julia rowley, her life sketch is still being made and the pencil is her hands with the guidance of her parents. >> having him in hi life has really changed it and they're very supportive, stayed in school and like keeping my grades up. >> right now, dozens of russian children are close to being adopted by american families but those adoption procedures are on hold until president putin makes the final decision. . we've had homes that are 90% destroyed. >> the path of destruction left by severe storms in the midwest and south. the convenient and greenway to dispose of your christmas tree. right after the break. >> it's a wrap. a bit of a pla rein county food tradition is disappearing whachl makes this taqueria so

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marin county food tradition is disappearing. what makes this taqueria so special. after 35 years a north bay favorite is closing its doors. ktv's deborah villone reports. >> reporter: ken, it's academic. this place sits right next to the college of marin. the campus is growing, so the taqueria must go. three generations order lunch, maybe for the last time here. know stal gentleman is on the menu -- nostalgia is on the menu. >> people, families, all of it. >> reporter: the sign explains that the taqueria which opened in 1977 will serve its last meal december 29th.

>> and my favorite drink. >> forgive me, we don't have it. >> reporter: long-time customers are saying good-bye to tony the owner. >> sorry to see you go. >> reporter: the landlord, college of marin, will demolish the restaurant for a new building and this old school place with its numbered menu, handwritten orders, burritos, five bucks and nothing over $9 disappears. >> hoping for a miracle that will keep us going, but it didn't happen. >> just crushed. >> reporter: many fans have eaten here since childhood. >> this is the best guy in the world, best restaurant in the world. >> just wonderful people. will miss their energy. >> no cheese, just beans and rice. >> reporter: this mom remembers how tony memorized her kids' orders. >> he would have it all i hit the cash register.

>> reporter: how did it succeed for all these years? >> we are hard working people. we care. we care about people. that's the way it is. >> reporter: tony has no plans to reopen, a relocation is so expensive so for now we'll take a break, much deserved. we're live in kentfield. some people in the bay area today are marking the start of the 7-day sell brag of kwanzaa, an african american tradition dating back to the 1960s. a fee festival was held -- free festival was held this sausalito today. as many as 1500 visitors were expected to attend the 15th annual kwaunza kickoff celebration. >> kwanzaa is a celebration of building community. there are seven days and each one of the days represents some aspect of building community throughout the year. >> kwanzaa is a non-religious, non-political celebration of african american culture and heritage that begins on december 26th and continues

through january 1st. san francisco's 26th annual christmas tree recycling program is set to start next week. today, workers from treecology demonstrated how effectively the chippers work. they will begin picking up trees suburb side on january 2nd and continue on regularly scheduled garbage days until january 15th. the trees should be cleared of all decorations, must be placed next to the trash bins by 6 a.m. on pickup day. any tree that's over 6 feet tall must be cut in half. the spirit of holidays was still in view this morning. volunteers spent the morning serving an after christmas day breakfast. volunteers yesterday served 5,000 christmas meals. severe weather in the south and midwest are blamed for six deaths. this is some of the damage in

mobile, where a twister touched down last night. a suspected tornado destroyed homes also in louisiana. >> we've had several people call in and said they saw it, the damage is consistent, indicative of tornado damage we've had. we have homes that are 90% destroyed. >> blizzard warchgs are post ned ohio and indiana -- warnings are posted in ohio and indiana with as much as a foot of snow already on the ground. the rain has ended for now. we had a lot of showers last night. today we tarted off with sunshine, a few clouds and snow continuing in the mountains. that snow is going to continue up there, that winter storm warning stays in effect for the next fou hours and you see over here on 80, you're starting to see some breaks. that's the snow line right there, the snow is kind of working its way soutacross 50. getting better but still kind of dicey travel up in the mountains. the forecast and for tonight will be for the patchy coastal fog. tomorrow we're looking for -- not coastal fog, valley fog.

and then mostly sunny. stebded forecast, we're bag -- extended forecast, we're back into showers friday night and saturday. the fog is the main thing for late tonight, early tomorrow morning. we're looking for north bay, east bay and south bay valleys, inland. there will be high clouds overhead -- we're going to see temperatures down into the easily upper 30s tonight. the praft for tomorrow, valley fog, highlights that. friday, this system comes in, but your friday looks good. this system my grates in, and starts to increase the cloud cover as we get into friday night and the showers as you'll see in the computer model fire off late friday fight into saturday morning early. so tonight, 6:00, stuff in the mountains, tomorrow morning, thursday morning, the model's picking up valley fog. there will be plenty of it and valley fog north in the east bay and valleys. tomorrow night, not bad, thursday night. friday morning, the clouds

increase, friday afternoon, more clouds and some breaks and then here's friday night. that does thought look like a big deal. that could change. right now it looks like just nuisance showers. and then into saturday it looks like it starts to clear out with a few scattered showers. that's saturday -- or the friday night, saturday fevent still trying to dial it in. prepare for valley fog in the morning and nice little break from the rain. it's been wet around here and we are getting a little bit of a respite. the five-day forecast with your bay area weekend in view, a chance of sprinkle as you get into monday but even that doesn't look like a big deal. >> we're ahead of the game here. >> doing well. >> thank you, bill. coming up on bay area news at 7, caltrans passengers say system-wide delays due to a software glitch. we'll show you what went wrong. join us at 7 on tv 36. a 7-pound christmas surprise in the south bay. how a father stepped in when his son arrived earlier than expected.

and unforgettable baby's first christmas, this family welcomed the boy on their own.

they were expecting their baby to arrive in mid january but aaron went into labor yesterday so her husband ended up assisting in the delivery. within 35 minutes, the baby named conner was born at 7 pounds, 9 ounces, mother and child are said to be in good health. good for them. joe's is here to tell us about the niners trying to get ready for this weekend. >> they get some getting ready to do of the biggest game for the 49ers is the one they'll play sunday at home against the arizona cardinals. they'll do so without the help of mario manningham. he ultimately needed to be helped off the field and it was learned today we will be lost further season suffering from two torn knee ligaments. manningham is the fourth 49er to be lost for the year. a.j. jenkins was the niners first round draft pick out of i illinois but he's yet to catch a pass as a pro.

he expects to see some playing time after a new experience for him most of the season, watching from the bench. >> going through my whole career i never really had to sit out. it's like my first time doing it. you never saw the game from the sideline as much as i did, so but now i'm starting to play, i am ready for it. a major haul today by 49ers when pro bowl selections were announced, nine players were announced to the team. on defense, patrick willis is now perfect in his career, six years, six pro bowl selections. the other defenders are levar bowman, aldon smith, eight other 49 wes were -- 49ers were shrekd as alternates. what it is about sports so that captures our imaginations and influences our emotions. we can't always explain it but we can't argue it exists n oxford, alabama, around the

christmas tree a dad received a hat something bear bryant might wear. the son pointed out there was something in the hat. national championship tickets. see you at 10. >> that's probably the best christmas he probably ever had. >> doesn't think much of the hat. >> still giving because the game hasn't been played yet. >> that's going to do it for us. we'll see you tonight at 10.